Pasta itself can indeed be part of a healthy diet, especially if it's made with whole grains--it can be a good source of complex carbs, fiber, and protein. It's the pasta sauces that can get problematic (i.e., caloric), especially if you like buttery, cheesy sauces like alfredo. Oh, alfredo sauce, you are so buttery and cheesy and delicious!

I found this cool recipe for an alfredo sauce that's super-fast and healthy; instead of parmesan and butter, it uses raw cashews, garlic, tahini, and nutritional yeast, so it's actually creamy and flavorful. Want to give it a try?

If you'd rather not cook up a pot of your own pasta today, head to Buca di Beppo with this coupon for a dish of free spaghetti. Molto bene!What's your favorite pasta? How often do you have noodles for a meal?